Artwork Page for God the Father

Details / Information for God the Father

God the Father

c. 1760

Johann Peter Schwanthaler

(Austrian, 1720–1795)
Culture
Austria, Lambach, 18th century
Medium
painted and gilded wood
Measurements
Overall: 141.6 x 104.2 x 35.6 cm (55 3/4 x 41 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1961.30
Public Domain
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Location
214 Central and Northern European
Print

Description

Johann Peter Schwanthaler belonged to a renowned family of sculptors that produced works for religious and domestic settings throughout Bavaria, Austria, and southern Germany for more than 250 years. This imposing image of God the Father would have formed part of a larger group, probably at the top of an altar. The figure displays the characteristic features of Schwanthaler’s style, such as the elongated figural proportions, sharp-edged drapery folds, and the beautifully expressive, anatomically detailed hands.
A painted and gilded wood sculpture depicts God the Father, a bearded man with medium skin tone seated on rounded clouds. He wears a teal robe and a golden-brown cloak, the garments carved with deep, angular folds. A gilded halo of pointed rays sticks out from behind his head. His arms extend outward with open palms, and a single bare foot rests on the gray-brown cloud base. His face features a downcast, somber expression.

God the Father

c. 1760

Johann Peter Schwanthaler

(Austrian, 1720–1795)
Austria, Lambach, 18th century

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